Station, met four
trains from Lynchburg with supplies sent in obedience to the
Burkeville dispatch already mentioned. The trains were feeling
their way eastward, in ignorance of Lee's whereabouts. The Sergeant
had the original dispatch with him, and exhibited it, and, by
dwelling on the starving condition of Lee's army, easily persuaded
the officers in charge to run the trains east of Appomattox Station,
he having, meantime, sent word to Sheridan where they could be
found. Custer hastened forward, sending two regiments by a detour,
in a gallop, to seize and break the railroad behind the trains.
The trains were captured. One was burned, and the other three sent
eastward towards Farmville. This capture took place just as the
head of Lee's column came in sight.(20) Custer attacked Lee's
advance, and was soon joined by Devin's division and a brigade from
Crook. Together they drove it back, capturing twenty-five pieces
of artillery, a hospital train, and a large park of wagons which
were being sent ahead of Lee's main army. Sheridan's headquarters,
at night, were at a farm-house, just south of Appomattox Station,
and about three miles southwest of the Court-House of that name.
Neither he nor his command slept that night. Sheridan was now
across Lee's front, and if he could hold on, Lee must surrender.
Ord, with the Fifth Corps following, was hastening to Sheridan.
The supreme hour was at hand. Ord was no laggard, and it was known
that he would put forth all human effort, yet Sheridan dispatched
through the night officer after staff officer to apprise Ord of
the immediate danger the cavalry was in, if unsupported, and to
assure him that his presence with his column would end the Rebellion.
Before day-dawn the cavalry was in the saddle, in battle array,
bearing down on the Confederate advance, then at the Court-House.
Ord arrived in person before sun-up of the 9th, and hastily consulted
Sheridan where to put in his troops on their arrival. Ord then
returned to hurry on his weary, hungry, foot-sore men, who had
marched all the night, having little sleep for many days. Sheridan
turned from the consultation with Ord to take charge of the battle
already raging near the Court-House.

Let us look within the lines of the Confederate Army and see what
was transpiring there. That army had, since Sailor's Creek and
Farmville, been directed, of necessity, along the north of the
river on Appomattox Court-House and Lynchbur